Explore Portugal and Spain—as well as Lourdes, France—on this wonderful vacation with a focus on shrines to the Virgin Mary. Begin your tour in Lisbon with guided sightseeing featuring visits to Jeronimos Monastery and the Church of St. Anthony. In Santarém, visit the Church of the Holy Miracle. In Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917, visit Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Parish Church, and Valinhos. Maybe join the evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. Next is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage sites during the Middle Ages. You may wish to walk part of the famous Camino Pilgrim’s Way with an expert Local Guide. Next is Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile, with a guided visit to the cathedral. Travel along the Basque coast to arrive in Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites. Visit the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, and St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family home. You may wish to bathe in the healing waters, attend the “Blessing of the Sick,” or join the evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. Cross the Pyrenees to Saragossa, where guided sightseeing features the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, home to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. End your tour in Madrid, where guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Prado Museum with its priceless art collection. A day at leisure allows you to relax or further explore—a marvelous way to end this fascinating and educational tour throughout the Marian Shrines of Europe.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and your traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Lisbon–Santarém–Fatima. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features visits to JERONIMOS MONASTERY and the CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY. Afterwards, depart for Fatima and while en route, visit the CHURCH OF THE HOLY MIRACLE in Santarém, site of a famous Eucharistic Miracle. Then, visit OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE with the tombs of the visionaries, and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917. Join this evening’s rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, or attend Mass, held every day at 6 pm at the basilica. (B,D)
Day #3 Fatima. Excursion to Valinhos. Morning orientation includes a visit to the PARISH CHURCH where the visionaries were baptized. Also visit their homes in nearby Valinhos. Afternoon at leisure. Join this evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. (B)
Day #4 Fatima–Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations during the Middle Ages along with Rome and Jerusalem. Visit the CATHEDRAL, where the relics of St. James the Apostle, brother of St. John the Evangelist, are kept behind the high altar, and you may wish to attend mass. (B)
Day #5 Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years pilgrims have been walking the CAMINO PILGRIM’S WAY. This morning, for those who wish to experience this event, drive to the small village of Arca and do part of this famous walk accompanied by your expert Local Guide. Afterwards, back in Santiago, you may wish to join the special pilgrim’s Mass in the cathedral. (B)
Day #6 Santiago de Compostela–Burgos. Travel to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a visit to the magnificent CATHEDRAL. (B,D)
Day #7 Burgos–Lourdes, France. Continue along the Basque coast and arrive in Lourdes, home to one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Your guided walking tour includes visits to the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, the OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE, the BIRTHPLACE OF ST. BERNADETTE, and her FAMILY HOME during the time of the apparitions. Join this evening’s memorable rosary and candlelight procession. (B,D)
Day #8 At Leisure in Lourdes. You may wish to experience the powerful healing baths, attend the “Blessing of the Sick,” and Mass at the Crux Gloriosa Chapel, or why join an optional excursion to the nearby Pyrenees? (B)
Day #9 Lourdes–Saragossa, Spain. Cross the Pyrenees Mountains to Saragossa. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide and visit Spain’s most famous Marian Shrine—the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR, home to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. According to local tradition, on January 2 of the year 40, the Mother of God appeared upon a pillar to the Apostle St. James the Greater while he was preaching the Gospel. The pillar is conserved and venerated within the basilica today. (B)
Day #10 Saragossa–Madrid. Journey to Madrid, where guided sightseeing includes the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, the Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Today’s highlight: a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Tonight you may wish to join an optional dinner excursion. (B)
Day #11 At Leisure in Madrid. A full day to explore on your own, to just relax, or join an excursion to nearby fortified Avila, where St. Theresa founded the order of Carmelites. Then, this evening, a farewell dinner awaits you at the hotel. (B,D)
Day #12 Madrid. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
